Grades 4–6
60 minutes
Media, Narrative
VideosSean Thomason has written for late night television, children’s animated television, and numerous internet companies and apps. His primary job has been writing and producing for RiffTrax, a comedy company that grew out of the cult classic show Mystery Science Theater 3000. RiffTrax creates a range of content, from online episodes to television specials to annual live shows. At RiffTrax, Thomason writes jokes, sketch comedy, website copy, and email promotions.
You will learn how to use dialogue and narration in a scene to show the reader a character’s traits.
STEP 1
Watch the video and then answer this question in your writing journal: What is the funniest thing you’ve heard someone say recently? Why did you think it was funny?
STEP 2
Next, you will create 2 very general characters to write dialogue for. On page 1 of the Silly Scenes — Handout, there is a group of traits and a group of jobs to choose from. Follow the directions on page 1 to complete this activity.
STEP 3
Read the example scene on page 2 of the handout. After you read the scene, answer the reflection question at the bottom of the page: What do you notice about the way this scene is written? What are the 2 main ways the reader learns that the Chef is forgetful and the Doctor is angry?
STEP 4
The 2 main ways the reader...
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